A 24-year-old woman remains missing after she and three friends were caught by a rising tide while walking through a keyhole-shaped opening in the rocks along the California coast, authorities said.
The group was visiting Panther State Beach in Santa Cruz on Sunday evening when the incoming water cut off their route to safety.
Three people managed to escape, but Senah Park apparently did not.
CAL FIRE CZU firefighters arrived at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, and began a search involving ground teams, drones and helicopters, according to a news briefing.
“Four people had gone through the keyhole on the beach and when the tide rose, they became trapped,” CAL FIRE CZU said in a post. “Three people were able to escape the rising tide. One person, described as a woman in her twenties, was not able to escape and was believed to have been swept out to sea.”
The Coast Guard joined the search on Monday, Nov. 9.
Park’s friends reported her missing, SFGATE reported, citing a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
Another person in the group sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Park was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and denim skirt at the beach along Highway 1 near Davenport, roughly nine miles north of Santa Cruz.
Her disappearance occurred as officials warned of hazardous surf conditions along the coastline.
Forecasters cautioned beachgoers about powerful rip currents, sneaker waves and large breakers capable of creating dangerous conditions.
The National Weather Service said Monday that exposed beaches could see breaking waves between 12 and 16 feet, with some areas facing waves as high as 18 feet. Higher-than-usual tides were also expected to strengthen currents.
Authorities had not determined by Monday whether those conditions swept Park out to sea.
The scenic stretch of coast has been the site of several emergencies this year.
In September, rescuers pulled two people from the ocean after they fell into the water while fishing, according to the Mercury News.
A woman drowned in June after she and another person were swept into the ocean near a “keyhole” opening in the cliffs, the outlet reported.
In May, rising water trapped eight people inside a beach cave before rescuers safely evacuated them.
Anyone with information about Park’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Coast Guard at 800-246-7236 or the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office at 831-471-1121.
